Gout is a form of arthritis that can be a chronic, painful condition to live with if it is not treated properly. While diet alone does not cause or cure gout, limiting your intake of certain foods may help to calm your symptoms. Each case of gout is unique, so it may take some trial and error to see if foods such as honey trigger your symptoms. However, for safety it is always best to consult your physician about any dietary changes you wish to make.
Gout
When you eat foods that contain purines, your body creates a byproduct called uric acid. Normally your kidneys get rid of the uric acid, but for those with gout, uric acid levels build and form crystals that can settle in your joints, reports FamilyDoctor.org. These crystals can cause mild to severe symptoms such as pain, swelling and stiffness. While gout can affect any area of the body, it most commonly occurs in the big toe.
Treatment
Since there is no cure for gout, treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and preventing future attacks. For some people, notes MayoClinic.com, dietary changes and losing weight are enough; for others, medication to lower uric acid levels may be required. In terms of diet, it is important to take in enough calories to maintain a healthy weight and limit intake of high-purine foods such as alcohol, meat, fish and poultry. Your diet should be rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk products.
Honey and Gout
Honey is not a high-purine food, so consuming it in small amounts should not trigger attacks, reports Drugs.com. Other low-purine foods you can include in your diet are eggs, nuts, peanut butter, pudding, rice, coffee, tea, pasta, gelatin and a small amount of sweets. Since each person is different, it may be helpful to keep a food and symptom diary so you can identify personal trigger foods so you can determine how much honey it is safe to consume.
Weight and Gout
Carrying extra pounds can increase the risk of developing gout, but losing excess weight can reduce your risk of future gout attacks, according to the Arthritis Foundation. However, it is important to lose the weight slowly, as rapid weight loss can temporarily increase uric acid levels. While honey may not be a high-purine food, it does contain calories, so eating too much may contribute to weight gain. Along with reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, it is also essential to drink six to eight 8-oz. glasses of water every day to help your kidneys flush out the excess uric acid. If you do not like plain water, try tea with a small amount of honey for flavor.
